Anthony Joshua earned his first stoppage since 2020 on Saturday when he knocked out Robert Helenius in the seventh round at the O2 Arena in London.
Joshua started slow against Helenius, showcasing some patience instead of looking to end things in the earlier stages of the fight.
After one minute and 27 seconds of the seventh round, Helenius let up his defense for a slight moment, at which point Joshua fired off a devastating right hook that caught the Fin square in the face, sending him crashing to the floor.
Joshua immediately turned around and began thrusting his hips in celebration with his arms crossed in front of his body.
You do 𝙉𝙊𝙏 get up from those 😤#JoshuaHelenius | pic.twitter.com/1LHhhvr6We
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 12, 2023
Joshua’s victory on Saturday could potentially set up a future bout with Deontay Wilder.
According to ESPN, representatives from Saudi Arabia were in attendance at the O2 Arena in order to discuss a Wilder–Joshua fight with promoter Eddie Hearn. That prospective fight would likely take place in January of 2024.
Thank you. Until next time, God bless. pic.twitter.com/P98SQyeGRD
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) August 12, 2023
“That’s the fight we want,” Hearn said of Wilder after the fight. “We have a three-fight plan: Robert Helenius, Deontay Wilder, and Tyson Fury. That’s the ambition of the team.”
Hearn was full of praise for Joshua after his knockout victory.
“He's a mature heavyweight now, and against Helenius he took his time to deliver one of the knockouts of the year. He's ready now for some marquee fights. He's smarter now. He's going to take less risks,” said Hearn.
Helenius had fought one week earlier against Mike Mielonen, earning a third-round stoppage on Aug. 5. Despite how recent his last bout was, Helenius took up the challenge from Joshua, serving as a replacement fighter after Joshua’s original opponent, Dillian Whyte, failed a drug test one week before the bout.
Following Saturday’s stoppage, Joshua improved to 26–3 in his career, including 23 knockouts.
